A model for the design of zone control automated guided vehicle systems

SUMMARY

An analytical modelling strategy is proposed as a screening device for use prior to the simulation phase in the design of zone control automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS). The proposed model predicts the effects of the major AGVS design variables on system-performance measures including maximum throughput capacity and risk factors associated with shop locking. This is done through a process which specifically evaluates the system operating dynamics associated with vehicle fleet size, guidepath layout, workstation storage capacity, routeing, and, to a less precise extent, vehicle dispatching. Operating dynamics are defined to include vehicle blocking resulting from guidepath contention and variation of in-process storage levels. The objective of the analytical model is to reduce the extent of simulation modelling necessary to design a zone-control AGVS for a given materials-handling workload. The model is illustrated for a sample AGVS with variation in the fleet size, workstation storage capacity and dispatching rule demonstrated.